Hoping to deflect criticism of subsidized free passes for Portland high schoolers, the TriMet board of directors voted Wednesday to reduce youth fares by 40 cents for a single-ride ticket and $2 for a monthly pass.

"Lowering these fares makes it easier for families to pay for their kids to get to school, jobs and other activities," said TriMet General Manager McFarlane. "It means that more affordable fares will benefit all young people throughout the region."

At the same time, the board voted to commit $966,000 to a plan that would allow the YouthPass program to continue giving Portland Public Schools students another school year of free, unlimited rides.

Under the plan, Oregon's largest transit agency would split the cost of the $2.9 million YouthPass program evenly with the school district and the city.

That would require larger contributions by the school district and, especially, City Hall during the 2014-15 school year, according to TriMet documents. Last year, TriMet says it agreed to contribute $1.6 million, or about 55 percent, to the program, compared to $400,000 from the city and about $950,000 from PPS.

Next school year, each partner would be required to cover $966,000.

That's a savings of $634,000 for TriMet, which would help the agency cover the $775,000 revenue hit from reducing all youth fares.

The agency also plans to offset the remaining cost by using an uncommitted $140,000 from a special fund to help low-income riders.

PPS is currently the only district that provides its high school students with free TriMet passes during the school year, partly because the district provides school bus service to only elementary and middle schoolers. Supporters say the program is essential to boosting low graduation rates.